Bryant Knox breaks down three spots where the Portland Trail Blazers need an upgrade. With JJ Hickson’s future up in the air, starting center is the obvious one. Eric Maynor’s future is also questionable in Rip City, so backup point guard is a priority as well. Wesley Matthews has become a very good player, but neither he nor Will Barton are great enough to hold down the 2-guard spot by themselves.

NWSB Insider and Portland Trail Blazers writer Rick Stella gives us his weekly Rick’s Picks, naming the All-Star performances showcased in Rip City. Going toe-to-toe with Spurs point guard Tony Parker, Damian Lillard was once again being baptized by fire in his rookie season, and like so many of his outings this year, Lillard impressed. LaMarcus Aldridge, Damian Lillard and JJ Hickson earn All-Star recognition in week seven, while Nicolas Batum takes home the Dunk of the Week.

NWSB Insider and Portland Trail Blazers blogger Jon Irwin breaks down five questions Portland is facing on the young season. With 19 games in the bag—to the tune of a 8-11 record—there’s plenty for Portland to answer for. Can rookie sensation Damian Lillard keep it going? Will Nicolas Batum ever be good enough for his contract? Nicolas Batum looked ready for a breakout All-Star season. J.J. Hickson is enjoying a great season as Portland’s starting center.

NWSB Writer Bryant Knox previews the 2012-13 NBA season and breaks down who could be he most improved player on the Portland Trail Blazers. Following the disappointment that was the 2011-12 NBA season, there’s plenty of room to grow on such a young roster, and there are a few viable options for the team’s most improved player. Nicolas Batum, Wesley Matthews and J.J. Hickson are all possibilities candidates.

NWSB Writer Bryant Knox makes Portland Trail Blazers predictions as we approach the 2012/2013 NBA season. The Trail Blazers are a young, inexperienced group, but with so much potential waiting to be let loose, there could be some surprising results in 2013. In the news J.J. Hickson has been named the starting center. LaMarcus Aldridge is returning to full health. Damian Lillard will compete for Rookie of the Year.

NWSB Insider and Portland Trail Blazers blogger Bryant Knox weighs in with some predictions for the offense in Rip City in 2012 under Terry Stotts. The season could be full of rough patches, as the team will enter with a young, inexperienced roster, but know right now that even if the team can’t find success right away, they’re going to put on display a far more entertaining brand of basketball in 2013. The utilization of LaMarcus Aldridge should be nothing new.

NWSB Insider and Portland Trailblazers blogger Bryant Knox weighs in on the NBA’s best power forwards today and asks the question is LaMarcus Aldridge among the best? When Brandon Roy was still in Portland, he was the man and Aldridge was his sidekick. Not any more. Aldridge’s career-high 21.8 points and 8.7 rebounds in 2011 came in a season where the Blazers ran the slowest pace in the NBA. Watch out 2012.

NWSB Insider and Portland Trailblazers blogger Bryant Knox weighs in on the chances for Damian Lillard to win the 2012-2013 NBA rookie of the year award. Following his MVP performance in the Vegas Summer League, it’s easy to see how he can make a case for the award. What also makes Lillard special is that he ability to find teammates and run the offense. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Thomas Robinson, and Anthony Davis are competition.

NWSB Writer Blair Thomas talks about the Rose Garden, one of the premier venues for watching professional basketball. Even though the team has not witnessed prominent success since 2000, the Rose Garden Arena still remains one of the best places to watch an NBA game, even before the game starts. Mark Mason and an environmentally friendly atmosphere truly distinguish the Rose Garden from other arenas.

NWSB Insider and Portland Trailblazers blogger Bryant Knox gives us the inside scoop on the maximum contract offer by the Blazers to Roy Hibbert. The team has a chance to be very good, very quickly, and if a max contract is what it takes to make that happen, than the answer is yes, Hibbert is worth the money. Meyers Leonard is ready to step into the paint in Portland, but is he ready to carry a team as the starting center?

NWSB Insider and Portland Trailblazers blogger Blair Thomas reacts to the news out of RIP City recently for people calling for Coach Nate McMillen’s head. Portland fans are hopeless romantics when it comes to their Blazers. and the innocence is cute in a way. This blog post is not an excuse for McMillian but rather a legitimate reason for his inability to win with his roster.

NWSB insider Steve Lee tells us If the Blazers ever need to dip into the PAST to grab an all-star team, he would choose these 5 guys. Brandon Roy, Clyde Drexler, Greg Oden, Jerome Kersey and Arvydas Sabonis. The Blazers would give any team fits with this lineup. Plus check out Steve’s bonus selection, the one guy he doesn’t want back in JR Rider.